Takakura Ken returns to the big screen

Over the span of his 60-year career, Takakura Ken has become a legend in the Japanese film industry, with over 200 films under his belt. Best known for his stoic, tough-guy roles, he is also recognized internationally in foreign films such as Robert Aldrich's Too Late the Hero and Zhang Yimou's Riding Along for Thousands of Miles. After six years of hiatus, Takakura has signed on for the starring role of Furuhato Yasuo's upcoming fim, To You (あなたへ). Furuhato has previously directed some of Takakura’s popular films, such as Poppoya(Railroad Man) and Yasha (Demon).

In To You, Takakura will play a prison counselor who seeks to return to the hometown of his deceased wife to scatter her ashes. Filming is planned to begin on September 7 and the theatrical release is scheduled for fall 2012.